Hunter Brown strikes out 10 in no-decision Sunday

Brown was outstanding on Tuesday against the Royals. He had stranded three baserunners over four scoreless innings before giving up one run on a walk and a double in the fifth. He’d end his day after five frames at 91 pitches, tying a season-high 10 strikeouts on 15 whiffs. The 28-year-old right-hander will take a 3.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and a 110/49 K/BB ratio across 97 innings into a start against the Braves in Houston on Sunday.

This was a frustrating start by Brown. As far as the first three earned runs he gave up, they all came in the third inning and it was a lot of timely hitting and well-placed knocks by the Phillies with an error mixed in by right fielder Cam Smith. Then, Trea Turner took him deep in the fifth. That was his last frame and reliever Bryan King immediately blew the game in the sixth after Brown left with a lead. Regardless, he struggled to command his breaking balls consistently as has been a trend lately. Turner’s home run came on a hanging slider as did an RBI single from Luis Arraez. That’s been a huge hindrance in Brown trying to find his groove over the last month and will likely keep less reliable than we’d hope start-by-start to close the season. Next up, he’s scheduled for a two-start week against the Royals and Braves with both coming at home.

Brown racked up seven strikeouts on the afternoon while allowing two free passes. All of the damage done against him came in the second inning as the White Sox put together four singles to scratch out two runs. The 28-year-old hurler generated 14 swings and misses on 101 pitches on the day, posting a strong CSW of 36 percent. Now 5-3 on the season, he’ll carry a 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and a 93/46 K/BB ratio (87 innings) into Wednesday’s battle against the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Brown tossed two scoreless innings, then ran into some trouble in the third. He surrendered a solo homer to Donovan Walton to lead off the frame, then loaded the bases before escaping the jam with a ground ball double play. Brown settled in to pitch two more scoreless innings and record the first two outs in the sixth before departing at 101 pitches. He scattered seven hits in all and walked three batters while collecting four strikeouts. The 27-year-old right-hander will take a 3.51 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 76/43 K/BB ratio across 74 1/3 innings into a start against the Mets in New York next weekend.

Brown gave up a homer in the first and two walks and a single in the third. He actually walked three batters in a row with two outs in the fourth, but the Mariners couldn’t capitalize then after Brendan Donovan declined to challenge a 3-2 strike with the bases loaded; the pitch was very close to the top of the zone, and it’s unclear if it would have been overturned. Brown is up to 40 walks in 68 2/3 innings this season. Last year, he walked 57 in 185 1/3 innings. In spite of his issues, he still seems like a fine play in a home start against the A’s next weekend.

Brown tossed a clean first inning, then gave up a run in the second on a walk and a base hit. The Giants added another run in the fourth before Bryce Eldridge took Brown deep for a solo homer in the fifth. Brown’s day would be done after five innings with four strikeouts. The 27-year-old right-hander will take a 3.68 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and a 67/35 K/BB ratio across 63 2/3 innings into a start against the Angels in Houston next Tuesday.

Brown had a no-hitter going until the sixth, when he gave up a double, a single and a homer. That put him up to 93 pitches for the day, so he didn’t come back out for the seventh. Still, this was an encouraging showing. He averaged a season-high 96.8 mph with his sinker, continuing a trend that’s seen him gain velocity in each of his four starts since the All-Star break. He’ll get the Giants next.

This was another strong start for Brown. He faced very little trouble before the sixth inning when Joc Pederson got him for a home run before another double and single. Brown was pulled with runners on second and third and two outs with one of those came home to score after he’d departed. Still, he showed excellent command of his sinker and broke off a few great sliders when he needed them on a night where his knuckle-curve was a bit erratic. He’s moving in the right direction and is scheduled to face the Blue Jays at home next time out.

Brown gave up two hits, walked none and struck out seven. He improved to 2-1 with the win. The 27-year-old right-hander was excellent against the White Sox, lowering his ERA to 3.45 in the process. Brown bounced back in a big way after walking six batters in his last start. He’s lined up to face the Rangers at home on Friday.

Brown gave up three hits, walked six and struck out four. He fell to 1-1 with the loss. Injuries have limited the 27-year-old right-hander to eight starts this year. In July, he’s allowed 13 runs in 14 2/3 innings over three starts. Brown has a 4.05 ERA. He’s lined up to face the White Sox on the road next weekend.